The integration of commercial and nature-based investments are rapidly gaining traction across Asia, driven not only by the urgent need to combat biodiversity loss and address the climate crisis, but also by their growing economic and social value.

These initiatives are delivering tangible benefits to communities that depend on nature for their livelihoods, highlighting the potential of nature-based solutions ( NbS ) to uplift both people and ecosystems.

As vital natural systems, like peatlands, coral reefs and rainforests, come under increasing pressure, governments and private actors across the region are turning to NbS that restore biodiversity while creating revenue through carbon credits, eco-tourism and regenerative agriculture. From peatland restoration in Indonesia to coral rehabilitation in the Philippines, these projects are now showing that environmental stewardship and financial returns are not mutually exclusive.

As was evident at the recent Ecosperity Week 2025 in Singapore, financial institutions, NGOs and policymakers are forming coalitions to unlock new funding pathways, including blended finance structures and sustainability-linked loans, to accelerate nature-positive capital flows.

More fundamentally, this wave of investment marks a generational shift. As trillions of dollars move to younger asset holders across Asia, capital is increasingly being directed toward purpose-driven ventures that reflect a deeper appreciation for nature’s role in resilient economic systems.

With this shift, NbS are emerging not just as environmental tools, but as core pillars of Asia’s sustainable growth story.

This shift in mindset is not just theoretical, it’s being executed in real time by players like New Forests, a natural asset manager that is redefining how sustainable investments are structured and scaled across the region.

Profit with purpose

In a recent conversation with its leadership, it became clear: sustainability is no longer a niche concept; it is a significant and serious investable asset class. At the heart of this transformation is New Forests’ methodical expansion across Asia, supported by global institutional capital and a clear focus on blending ecological value with financial performance.

The asset manager’s David Shelton, managing director for Australia and New Zealand and global head of investments, sums it up simply: forests, agriculture, carbon and conservation can co-exist and generate profit within a single, cohesive strategy.

“We’ve grown from forestry into agriculture, infrastructure and even processing, building a vertically integrated model,” he explains. With nearly US$12 billion in assets under management, New Forests has built a reputation on both scale and substance.

The company’s acquisition by Mitsui and Nomura has also unlocked access to new capital pools and markets. “It opens doors,” Shelton points out, referencing not just financial support, but cultural and operational fluency needed to navigate Asia’s diverse investment landscape.

That advantage is playing out in Southeast Asia, where New Forests has acquired the Burapha Agro Forestry plantation in Laos, a deal that includes processing facilities and illustrates a strategy focused on full value-chain control, from forest to finished product.

Carbon as strategy

Beyond generating returns, carbon-linked projects are also increasingly central to investor strategy. “There’s a growing appetite for retaining credits, not just trading them,” Shelton notes. These credits tie directly into reforestation, conservation and afforestation efforts embedded into the firm’s wider investment thesis.

Its new agriculture arm is also evolving rapidly. With over A$1.5 billion ( US$963.1 million ) in land-based assets, the asset manager is positioning itself as a climate-smart, diversified land-use investor.

The appeal lies in reliable cash yields from crops and long-term capital appreciation from land. “We’re moving from soil to supply chain,” says Bruce King, the asset manager’s director of new agriculture, reflecting the increasing demand for portfolios that are resilient, adaptive and profitable under climate stress.

After years of working quietly behind the scenes, the company is stepping into a more visible leadership role. “The world is demanding sustainable food, fuel and fibre,” Shelton states, “and we’re ready to show how it can be done.” That ambition now includes Europe.

New Forests has recently appointed Anne Dillé as its head of institutional fundraising for the UK and Europe, based in Paris. With over three decades of experience in asset management and strong relationships with European institutional investors, Dillé’s appointment signals New Forests’ commitment to scaling natural capital strategies globally.

“Her deep relationships with European asset owners,” offers Sarah Clawson, the asset manager’s global head of investor relations, “will be vital as we continue to grow our business and scale our impact.”

From its roots in Australia to its expanding footprint across Asia, Africa, the US and now Europe, New Forests growth illustrates the potential of nature-based investment.

It’s no longer just about sustainable land use, it’s about redefining how economies grow, build, and thrive in a climate-conscious world. “We’re not just investing in land,” Shelton adds. “We’re investing in the future of how economies feed, build and grow.”